Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says good level designers shouldn't "assume anything the player is going to do in a particular order"

Fallout overseer — (Image credit: Bethesda)

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful

Want to add more newsletters?

Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.

Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter

Fallout co-creator Tim Cain has stressed the importance of not assuming what the players are going to do if your game is non-linear.

"Rule one, our game is nonlinear – don't assume that players will go somewhere first or talk to someone first," Cain explains in a new YouTube video titled Eight Level Design Guidelines. "I wanted to remind level designers that just because you put a guard outside the town, don't assume that everybody will stop and talk to that guard."

Article continues below Eight Level Design Guidelines - YouTube

Watch On

But when it comes to that guard, if a player is given the ability to take them out from a distance, Cain notes: "I'm gonna go into that town without talking to the guard. And you may think, well, at that point, it's OK because everyone in the town will attack you."

However, he explains, "In general, I just like to remind level designers, don't assume anything the player is going to do in a particular order. Your job is to provide a nice map for them to play on and not make such assumptions."

Nonlinearity in games is definitely something that is an acquired skill. It will never not impress me when a game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild comes along that will allow you to go and get into a scrap with the final boss the second you finish the tutorial. It's also one of the things that frustrates me most about GTA and Red Dead Redemption maker Rockstar Games, where the studio will produce one of the most expansive and deep open worlds ever made, but then have missions that don't allow you to walk 2ft off the main path. These sort of restrictions are clearly something Cain is keen to avoid, and you need only look at the likes of Fallout 1 and 2 to see that in action.

Fallout co-creator Tim Cain is "looking forward" to generative AI for games, TV, and his doctor appointments in dire predictions: "Like a game and you want more content? It'll just generate it."

Scott McCraeContributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout LATEST ARTICLES

Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says good level designers shouldn't "assume anything the player is going to do in a particular order"

Схожі новини

Germany's crime figures: Comparing apples to oranges?

Germany's crime figures: Comparing apples to oranges?

This UK Nation Has Britain’s 3 Most Gorgeous Beaches

Оплачувана перерва гіг-спеціаліста в «Дія.Сіті»: як кваліфікувати ці виплати під прицілом податкової — колонка